I am looking to use a PC I have for an HTPC. It currently has 733 mhz, but I will likely increase that to 1.6 gh. I was wondering what specific things I need to be able to make this useable with my xbox, dish network, and dvd's. I would like to keep things as cheap as possible, but still make the gains an HTPC will offer. Thanks.

EDIT: Oops, looks like you already found it!

Hi Mantis, I'd recommend checking out this excellent thread on building a cost effective HTPC:

http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3466&hl=

- Greg

What dishnetwork reciever are you planning to use with this htpc?

Don't know much about computers but found this list on the web. anyone have any input about the list? Or a cheaper way to do it.

HTPC SHOPPING LIST

This is a quote from the writer of the article:
I chose these parts to build a rock-solid-reliable and near-silent machine for around $2,000—the same as an HP z545-b with comparable specs. Visit htpcnews.com for forums and reviews.

> Case SilverStone LaScala LC03, sundialmicro.com, $121
> Motherboard Intel D915PBL, zipzoomfly.com, $154
> Processor Intel 2.8GHz Pentium 4 775, newegg.com, $159
> RAM Two sticks of Crucial 512MB PC2-4200, crucial.com, $276
> CPU cooler Zalman CNPS7700-AlCu, quietpcusa.com, $45
> Power supply Zalman 400W ZM400B-APS, zipzoomfly.com, $87
> Hard drive Seagate Barracuda 160GB S-ATA, newegg.com, $115
> Optical drive LG 16X DVD+/–RW, mwave.com, $76
> Video card ABIT ATI x700 Pro PCI Express, newegg.com, $168
> Tuner card Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-500MCE, hauppauge.com, $200
> Wireless card D-Link Xtreme 802.11g PCI, ecost.com, $50
> Card reader In Win 10-in-1 CR-I530-B, iocombo.com, $21
> Case fan AcoustiFan 80mm Noiseless, quietpcusa.com, $17
> OS Windows XP, staples.com, $200
> Software Snapstream BeyondTV and BeyondMedia, snapstream.com, $120
> IR receiver USB-UIRT, pcalchemy.com, $47
> Remote Snapstream Firefly, snapstream.com, $50
> Keyboard/mouse Gyration Ultra GT Compact Keyboard Suite, pcalchemy.com, $100

I have built numorous HTPC, so here is my advice:

All in the same order as you posted.

>First off the case. My favorite HTPC case would have to be the TVPC They look very similar to a standalone CD player, very small (like a shuttle) and very powerful. I would reccommend getting the AMD version.
>If you buy the barebone from TVPC it has the mobo in it. (Get AMD version).
>AMD 64 bit processor FX if you can afford.
>I have had problems with bad crucial RAM. I prefer corsair.
>The AMD's come with CPU cooler so you will be fine there.
>You might think about upgrading to 480W or 500W.
>Good HDD.
>Good optical.
>The TVPC has I think an ATI 9200 Pro in the barebone, which is good enough.
>I'm pretty sure the TVPC has an intigrated tv tuner,
>and NIC.
>good card reader.
>That fan will not be enough! Try 2 of those.
>AHHH windows... Use linux. I believe Fedora Core 3 is out, or you could use Suse 9.2 Pro. (I Use Aurox).
>You can use FreeVo if running linux, or the TVPC comes with a bunch of software to record and other stuff.
>The rest is good

Here is a site you might be interrested in. It tells you about tweaking the software.
HERE

Hope it helps

-Elliot

Pistolen08,

I just took a look at the TVPC website and the product looks pretty cool, though definitely lacking in DIY'er technical specs.

Since it sounds like you've got some experience with it could you please clarify for me what it can do "out of the box" vs. what it's capable of once you've add your own components. What software does it come bundled with? None of this is clear on the website...for example, I don't think it has an integrated TV tuner...at least there doesn't appear to be any input for it. I've sent an email to TVPC asking for more info too...hopefully they'll get back to me.

I'm looking to build a HTPC with dual monitor support and HDTV compatibility...


Thanks for your help.

Justin

What they are selling is a barebone system. All that is included is the motherboard, power supply, and case. In this case (pardon the pun ) The motherboard has an ATI 9200 graphics card. I'm sorry, but it does not include a TV Tuner (must have read wrong). I also found out that it comes with a card reader, so you wouldnt have to buy that. the nic is also included. It also comes with a remote. Another great thing is that it has SPDIF I/O so that will do surround sound (5.1Channel) It has 2 VGA outputs (or maybe 1 VGA 1 DVI cant really tell from picture), so you could do dual monitors (maybe with a converter (DVI to VGA). I dont know if you saw this but its helpful. TVPC Powerpoint

So here is what you will need.

>HDD
>Optical Drive
>Mouse/Keyboard
>TV Tuner Card
>RAM
>Various Cables
>OS
>Maybe a DVI to VGA conerter
>Maybe another fan and silencer

Thats all!

This has saved me a LOT of money, I have built it and am planning to use it w/ my PJ (when it's done)

The cool thing is that it acts like a standalone cd player, and does the bar thing and type of music thingy. The software that it comes with is really cool, it also gets the tv times when you want it to and other stuff. The software is the same as in the hyperlink i sent you about tweaking the software.

-Elliot

Elliot,

Thanks. It looks like the AMD version has an integrated nForce 2 which supports dual monitors (hence 2 VGA outputs) while the Intel version only has 1 VGA output.

The other confusing thing is that is say under the intel version that it "supports 1 x IDE or S-ATA drive" but doesn't say that under the AMD one....though I obviously assume that the AMD one can support an HDD!

These inconsistencies in how the product is described bugs me...I'm in the process of selecting a bunch of components for an HTPC and PJ and I really want to know EXACTLY what I'm buying to be sure that it is what I want and is compatible with everything else.

On the TVPC website they seem to be marketing it more like a piece of consumer electronics that *does* all the things it can do, as opposed to a barebones system that NEEDS all the parts to make it a PC before it can do all the things it's capable of....I want a barebones system to build up on my own, so I'm certainly not complaining that this isn't a consumer unit that does everything already...i dunno I just think it's weird that since this product is only for DIYers with some technical expertise and not the general public, the posted information would be more specific...

...anyway, having the radio and CD standalone with a slick interface and overall a really sharp looking case, it seems like a heck of a deal for the price. Did you order online? Are you happy with how tge company's customer service (i.e. shipping, tech support...)?

Thanks,
Justin

Justin-

TVPC has an eBay account, and I ordered off of there, to boost my feedback .

I would highly reccommend the company. shipping was excellent, (fast, good protection)

People buy them, build them, and then sell them complete on eBay, but it is more expensive. Besides, I can build it in about 20-30 min once I have the parts. And then install the software, so it's not a big deal for me. I have built 4 so far, 3 intel, 1 AMD, and the AMD is wayyy better (faster, more stable) I used IDE in the AMD, and don't remember if it had SATA. If worse come to worse, you can pick up a PCI SATA card (compusa, bestbuy, etc...) if the AMD doesn't have SATA. If that is the case, you would need an AGP tv tuner card. (because I think there is only 1 PCI slot). I am getting ready to build another one for my PJ (sold the one I was gonna use to a friend). So if you are gonna wait, I can tell you (im getting the AMD) As for tech support, I didn't, and havent needed it, so no info there. They are based out of Austin, TX if that means something to you. I agree there are inconsistancies, but it was well worth it. It is a great computer especially for our purposes, and will be stable runnning these high memory apps. I built mine for around $400. (I scrapped my DVD +/- RW, and 1 GB of RAM from old computer)
200 GB HDD ($100 Online) and ebay TVtuner card ($35).

Don't want to start any sort of unrelated debate, but that's not necessarily true. Intel HT processors excel in processor intensive work, commonly at greater power than equal-priced AMDs. AMD utilizes RAM more efficiently, though, which makes them useful for high-memory gaming (but if you use dual-channel ram, Intel performs the same.). In context of an HTPC processing power would be of greater use than RAM utilization, because caching is not intensive for high quality video processing (small buffers are generally used). But if you're speaking of AMD64 systems, Intel is usually not as powerful. Stability is not fair to question without evidence, I have used systems of both makes for a long time and found no difference in stability.

Yeah, we don't want to start that

I can, and HAVE written a report on processors.

Yes, I am talking about 64 bit FX processors.

I used the AMD 4000 FX 64 bit in mine, and it is faster and more reliable than my P4 3.8GHZ desktop. Another big advantage, (if you are a windows user) is the new XP in 64 bit that is up for beta testing now.

Elliot--

Thanks for the additional info...

...also, and maybe this is a stupid question, I'm still learning about building up a pc myself, but wouldn't using the AMD 64 FX you reference above require switching out the motherboard in the TVPC? It appears that what it comes with isn't compatible...the cost for a new motherboard is pretty cheap compared to the cost of the FX's though! ...is it really worth it?

....now if this thing had a satellite radio receiver instead of just am/fm, you could really have an all-in-one system!

Justin

Justin-

yes, you are very right!

I guess I didn't read the fine print.

I would stick to the Athlon 3000 XP. Thats the best processor you can buy w/ that mobo, and not at a bad price I might add. Thats still extremely fast, and if you need more speed, you can always overclock it. I was kinda joking about the 4000+ FX. No offence, but most people can't afford an almost $1000 processor

One of my friends at school said he saw somewhere a satellite radio reciever for a computer. Only problem is you have to pay per month.

-Elliot

Once upon a time there was the XMPCR. It had a USB insterface for hooking up to your computer. They've stopped making them now.

They used to be about $50. Now there's a fixed number of them floating around and more and more people wanting them, thus the price has increased. A lot.

There were also kits available to add an optical output to the XMPCR. Overall, a pretty cool unit.

Brett

Here is one on eBay

XMCPR

Man $110!!!

You can listen to SHOUTcast on the internet, it's free, just make sure you have broadband.


peace

Great site for most things HTPC, reviews news etc...


HTPC News

Just to let you all know, these pc's that TVPC sells are made by MSI. Called the MEGA. MSI Mega Link . You can get them just about anywhere online, or at your local MSI dealer.
I have been selling them for about 1 1/2 years, have never had any problems with them (Both the current model and the previous generation). We dont sell alot of them for HTPC use, but we do sell alot when school goes back in session every fall.
With a TV-Tuner and DVD-Rom, you have the perfect Media box for a dorm room. TV, Computer, DVD-Player, Radio, etc.


Cycloneman

Dude that's not a real chip.

I'm sure he meant the AMD Athlon64 4000+


Cycloneman

Please consider LINUX. See below.

*************


Okay here is a short story for the technology geeks out there.

I have been considering switch from microsoft windows (98,2k,NT,XP)
for a while, to some version of LINUX. You know that real geeky
software system that everyone has heard about but never seen.

BOTTOM LINE: It can be done, you need to rate a 7 on a scale of 1 to
10 in your geek aptitude to install it (if you can partition a drive,
burn an ISO image file to a CDR, and you know how to tweek settings
in CONTROL PANEL then you have the skills install it). It will do
everything that WIN XP PRO with MS OFFICE XP installed does, for
absolutely free!!! I would suggest a computer that is no slower than
a pentium running at 250 Mhz, but read the documentation on the web
site.

There is only one version of LINUX to try. Use MEPIS (pronounced
MEMPHIS). Go to www.mepis.org for a copy. It is a graphical based
version of LINUX, that is completely free.

I did an install this weekend. It actually worked!! But, I screwed
up my partitioning so it took longer. I connected to my WIFI network
(to the internet) and I was playing DVDs with no problems. It has so
much extra built in software and tools, that you will never run our
of the ability to tweek some more.

If you want to try it, I will give you advise on it.